Tenoxicam Modulates Antioxidant Redox System and Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Brain

We investigated effects of two doses of Tenoxicam, a type 2 cyclooxygenase inhibitor, administration on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant redox system in cortex of the brain in rats. Twenty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. First group was used as control. 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight Tenoxicam were intramuscularly administrated to rats constituting the second and third groups for 10 days, respectively. Both dose of Tenoxicam administration resulted in significant increase in the glutathione peroxidase activity, reduced glutathione and vitamins C and E of cortex of the brain. The lipid peroxidation levels in the cortex of the brain were significantly decreased by the administration. Vitamin A and β-carotene concentration was not affected by the administration. There was no statistical difference in all values between 10 and 20 mg Tenoxicam administrated groups. In conclusion, treatment of brain with 10 and 20 mg Tenoxicam has protective effects on the oxidative stress by inhibiting free radical and supporting antioxidant redox system.     

Inhibition of gastric emptying by acarbose is correlated with GLP-1 response and accompanied by CCK release

We investigated the effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase and pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitor, on gastric emptying of solid meals of varying nutrient composition and plasma responses of gut hormones. Gastric emptying was determined with scintigraphy in healthy subjects, and all studies were performed with and without 100 mg of acarbose, in random order, at least 1 wk apart. Acarbose did not alter the emptying of a carbohydrate-free meal, but it delayed emptying of a mixed meal and a carbohydrate-free meal given 2 h after sucrose ingestion. In meal groups with carbohydrates, acarbose attenuated responses of plasma insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) while augmenting responses of CCK, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY). With mixed meal + acarbose, area under the curve (AUC) of gastric emptying was positively correlated with integrated plasma response of GLP-1 (r = 0.68, P < 0.02). With the carbohydrate-free meal after sucrose and acarbose ingestion, AUC of gastric emptying was negatively correlated with integrated plasma response of GIP, implying that prior alteration of carbohydrate absorption modifies gastric emptying of a meal. The results demonstrate that acarbose delays gastric emptying of solid meals and augments release of CCK, GLP-1, and PYY mainly by retarding/inhibiting carbohydrate absorption. Augmented GLP-1 release by acarbose appears to play a major role in the inhibition of gastric emptying of a mixed meal, whereas CCK and PYY may have contributory roles.     

An alternative method to minimize pain in the split-thickness skin graft donor site

In the art of plastic surgery, the reconstruction of tissue defects to obtain cosmetic and functional recovery is the major concern. Skin grafting is the most frequently used procedure for reconstructing defects of various size and anatomical localizations. On the other hand, donor-site problems associated with this invaluable procedure are inevitable. Various methods are used in the postoperative management of the partial-thickness donor site created during the harvest of a split-thickness skin graft. Each technique has the potential for complications of fluid loss, excessive pain, prolonged period of healing and immobilization, hypertrophic scarring, and undesirable pigmentation. Donor-site pain is probably the most disturbing complication in the early postoperative period. The aim of this article is to point out the significance of donor-site pain, which has not been emphasized thoroughly in the literature, and to introduce flap skin as a potential graft donor site for patients in whom reduction of donor-site morbidity is of primary concern. The principal goal of the technique described in this article is to eliminate donor-site pain by harvesting the graft from the flap that is insensate after the elevation. In 15 patients, the overlying skin of the flap that had been used for reconstructive purposes was used as the donor site (group I). In the remaining 23 patients, the posterolateral thigh was used as the donor site (group II). Donor-site discomfort was recorded during the first 8 days postoperatively using a visual analogue scale. To analyze the data, we used the Friedman test, Dunn's multiple comparison test, and Mann-Whitney U test. It was observed that the visual analogue scale of both of the groups showed a significant decrease within days (group I, p < 0.0001; group II, p < 0.0001). The mean pain scores were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p < 0.0001). When donor-site pain is of primary concern, this procedure provides uneventful and comfortable healing while avoiding postoperative pain in the donor site. For that reason, this technique might be used in appropriate cases to minimize donor-site pain.     

The behavior of fat grafts in recipient areas with enhanced vascularity

Fat grafts are used for soft-tissue augmentation of various anatomic regions, most frequently for the improvement of facial contours. Resorption of the graft is the main problem, and several different procedures have been described to minimize this phenomenon. Using 25 New Zealand rabbits, the behavior of fat grafts in a highly vascularized recipient site was studied. The recipient sites prepared on the backs of the rabbits were divided into four regions. A capsule formation with silicone sheet application was accomplished in two of these recipient areas before the transplantation of the fat grafts. Fat grafts were placed in the other two recipient areas without any prior preparation. We prepared two types of fat tissue; in one the lobular structure was preserved and in the other it was manually crushed and rinsed with lactated Ringer's solution. The fat tissues with preserved lobular structure were placed in area I and area III. Manually crushed and rinsed fat tissues were placed in area II and area IV. In areas III and IV, a capsule formation with silicone sheet had been accomplished 3 weeks before grafting. Biopsy samples were obtained from these sites at the end of the first, third, sixth, and tenth months. Our aim was to observe the histologic fate of fat tissue in different recipient areas. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the fat grafts in areas with silicone sheet indicated significant differences in the resorption time of the fat grafts; however, it was concluded that the significant resorption of the transplanted autologous fat tissue grafts at the end of the first year was an inevitable consequence of fat grafting.     

Immunization of Knock-Out α/β Interferon Receptor Mice against High Lethal Dose of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus with a Cell Culture Based Vaccine

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute tick-borne zoonotic disease. The disease has been reported in many countries of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and in Eurasia. During the past decade, new foci of CCHF have emerged in the Balkan Peninsula, southwest Russia, the Middle East, western China, India, Africa, and Turkey. CCHF virus produces severe hemorrhagic manifestations in humans with fatality rates up to 30%. Vaccine development efforts have been significantly hampered by a lack of animal models and therefore, no protective vaccine has been achieved. Lately, IFN α/β receptor deficient (IFNAR^−/−) mice have been established as a novel small animal model of CCHF virus infection. In the present study, we found that IFNAR^−/− mice highly susceptible to CCHF virus Turkey-Kelkit06 strain. Immunization with the cell culture based vaccine elicited a significant level of protection against high dose challenge (1,000 PPFU) with a homologous CCHF virus in IFNAR^−/− mice.     

α-Synuclein Elevation in Human Neurodegenerative Diseases: Experimental, Pathogenetic, and Therapeutic Implications

The discovery of α-synuclein has had profound implications concerning our understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders characterized by α-synuclein accumulation. In fact, as compared with pre-α-synuclein times, a “new” PD can now be described as a whole-body disease in which a progressive spreading of α-synuclein pathology underlies a wide spectrum of motor as well as nonmotor clinical manifestations. Not only is α-synuclein accumulation a pathological hallmark of human α-synucleinopathies but increased protein levels are sufficient to trigger neurodegenerative processes. α-Synuclein elevations could also be a mechanism by which disease risk factors (e.g., aging) increase neuronal vulnerability to degeneration. An important corollary to the role of enhanced α-synuclein in PD pathogenesis is the possibility of developing α-synuclein-based biomarkers and new therapeutics aimed at suppressing α-synuclein expression. The use of in vitro and in vivo experimental models, including transgenic mice overexpressing α-synuclein and animals with viral vector-mediated α-synuclein transduction, has helped clarify pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies involving α-synuclein. These models are not devoid of significant limitations, however. Therefore, further pursuit of new clues on the cause and treatment of PD in this post-α-synuclein era would benefit substantially from the development of improved research paradigms of α-synuclein elevation.     

Determining <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> spp. Incidence in Denture Wearers

The aim of this study was to determine Candida spp. incidence in the oral cavity of denture wearers and characterize predisposing factors in denture-related stomatitis (DRS). Three groups of denture wearers and a control group were evaluated for DRS according to Newton’s classification. The amount of yeast in saliva and the presence of yeast on mucosal surfaces were determined by phenotyping methods, and the impact of some risk factors on candidal carriage was evaluated. The development of DRS is most common in complete prosthesis users. When the count of yeast in saliva is ≥400 cfu/ml, the frequency of DRS is increased. In individuals who develop DRS, the most frequently encountered species that was identified as C. albicans. Prosthetic hygiene was related to the intensity of candidal growth and the development of DRS. C. albicans live as saprophyte in the oral cavity. But, it is capable of causing infection if there are predisposing conditions related to the host. Usage of removable prosthesis may cause these microorganisms to gain pathogenicity.     

Identifying the Volcanic Eruption Depicted in a Neolithic Painting at ?atalh?yük,Central Anatolia,Turkey

A mural excavated at the Neolithic Çatalhöyük site (Central Anatolia, Turkey) has been interpreted as the oldest known map. Dating to ∼6600 BCE, it putatively depicts an explosive summit eruption of the Hasan Dağı twin-peaks volcano located ∼130 km northeast of Çatalhöyük, and a birds-eye view of a town plan in the foreground. This interpretation, however, has remained controversial not least because independent evidence for a contemporaneous explosive volcanic eruption of Hasan Dağı has been lacking. Here, we document the presence of andesitic pumice veneer on the summit of Hasan Dağı, which we dated using (U-Th)/He zircon geochronology. The (U-Th)/He zircon eruption age of 8.97±0.64 ka (or 6960±640 BCE; uncertainties 2σ) overlaps closely with ¹⁴C ages for cultural strata at Çatalhöyük, including level VII containing the “map” mural. A second pumice sample from a surficial deposit near the base of Hasan Dağı records an older explosive eruption at 28.9±1.5 ka. U-Th zircon crystallization ages in both samples range from near-eruption to secular equilibrium (>380 ka). Collectively, our results reveal protracted intrusive activity at Hasan Dağı punctuated by explosive venting, and provide the first radiometric ages for a Holocene explosive eruption which was most likely witnessed by humans in the area. Geologic and geochronologic lines of evidence thus support previous interpretations that residents of Çatalhöyük artistically represented an explosive eruption of Hasan Dağı volcano. The magmatic longevity recorded by quasi-continuous zircon crystallization coupled with new evidence for late-Pleistocene and Holocene explosive eruptions implicates Hasan Dağı as a potential volcanic hazard.     

Prophylactic antibiotics in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

There is no consensus in the literature on the use of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent postoperative infection. This study was performed to investigate whether the use of prophylactic antibiotics has an effect on postoperative infection rates. A total of 1400 patients were classified into four groups based on their diagnosis. During the induction of anesthesia, half of each group received 2 g of a sulbactam-ampicillin combination and the other half received a placebo (saline solution) intravenously. Wound infection rates were observed in the postoperative period. Age, sex, and operative site of the patients with the same diagnosis were comparable in each group. The white blood cell count and the body temperature reading of each patient were recorded postoperatively. Wounds were observed daily in the postoperative period and graded according to a predetermined scale. Bacteriologic specimens were obtained from patients who had wound infections. According to our clinical experience, antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary in plastic surgery. At the end of our 6-year study, a significant difference could not be found between the antibiotic prophylaxis and placebo groups.     

Biological monitoring of n-hexane exposure in shoe workers

To analyse working conditions and to provide information about the degree to which shoe workers are exposed to n-hexane, the urinary excretion of total 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) was determined in 81 employees in 12 shoe factories. Twenty-five individuals who had experienced no exposure to solvents were used as controls. 2,5-HD was measured in spot urine samples collected from workers at the end of shift. In the urine of shoe workers, the 2,5-HD presented a mean value of 2.33 mg g^-1 creatinine, a median of 1.96 mg g^-1 creatinine. The mean 2,5-HD concentration in the urine samples from non-exposed subjects was 0.28 mg g^-1 creatinine, the median value was 0.18 mg g^-1 creatinine. The mean time-weighted average (TWA) concentration of n-hexane in 12 shoe workshops was 126.1 ppm, ranging from 23 to 215 ppm. We found a significant, but low, correlation (r = 0.40; p < 0.001) between TWA intensity of environmental exposure to n-hexane and the concentration of 2,5-HD in urine. The probable effect of toluene on the concentration of 2,5-HD was also discussed in the present study.